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Abstract

Ovalbumin (OVA) is widely used in allergy research. OVA peptide 323-339
has been reported to be responsible for 25–35% of isolated BALB ⁄ c mouse
T-cell response to intact OVA. An investigation of whether OVA and OVA
323-339 molecules can induce equivalent in vivo and in vitro immune responses
was conducted. Eight-week-old BALB ⁄ c mice were randomly divided into
three groups: OVA, OVA 323-339 and saline. On days 0, 7, 14, mice were
intraperitoneally injected with 25 lg OVA or OVA 323-339 absorbed on
300 lg Alum, or saline; on days 21–23, all groups were challenged intranasally
with either 20 ll of 1% OVA, 1% OVA 323-339 or saline. On day 28,
after killing, splenocytes were isolated and cultured under the stimulus of each
allergen or medium. Evaluated by hematoxylin ⁄ eosin and major basic protein
immunohistochemical stainings, OVA and OVA 323-339 induced similar
lung inflammation. Interestingly, significant serum total IgE and OVA-specific
IgE were observed in OVA mice when compared to saline control. OVA 323-
339 mice showed higher serum OVA-specific IgE, OVA 323-339-specific IgE,
IL-4 and lower IFN-c similar to OVA mice. The proliferative response to
OVA was found in cultured splenocytes of both OVA and OVA 323-339
mice, while the similar proliferative response to OVA 323-339 was only
observed in the splenocytes of OVA 323-339-sensitized and challenged mice.
Although OVA 323-339 induced a Th2-like response in the mouse model as
did OVA, OVA 323-339 has clearly limited immunogenic potency to activate
OVA-sensitized and challenged mice splenocytes, unlike OVA.